A Hitchin property that has stood vacant since 2021 after a long-serving newsagent closed has gone on sale.

16/17 Sun Street, which was the former home of Merryfields, has a guide price of £725,000, with listing estate agent Norgans describing it as "a rare opportunity to acquire a mixed use town centre freehold".

"16/17 Sun Street sits at the heart of Hitchin's conservation area and historic town centre," read the listing.

"It has been a landmark building for centuries and for the past few decades has been both owned and occupied by the Merryfield family.

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"Grade II listed, the majority of the ground floor on the Sun Street frontage has been used commercially as a single shop with offices, however, historically it is believed to have been two adjacent buildings.

"Believed to date back to the 17th century, the upper floors and rear accommodation are almost exclusively used as residential accommodation with part of the rear converted to a two-storey, one-bedroom residential unit with independent council tax band."

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Merryfields closed back in 2021 after more than 60 years in business, and the unit has been occupied ever since.

"This newsagents is now closed," reads a message in the window of the Sun Street unit.

"Merryfields would like to thank you for your custom. There are no valuables left on this property."

This isn't the only business news from Sun Street this week, with Plan Burrito announcing they will open on Monday, occupying the unit formerly home to Bella Vita Hotel and Restaurant.